Bruce was half drunk an' he began to cuss an' rave about Jean Isbel bein' in love with his girl....

As bad luck would have it, a couple of more fellars come in an' asked Meeker questions.

He jest got to thet part, 'Greaves, it's the half-breed, an' he's goin' to cut you--FIRST FOR ELLEN JORTH,' when in walked your father! ...

Then it all had to come out--what Jean Isbel had said an' done--an' why.

How Greaves had backed Simm Bruce in slurrin' you!" Sprague paused to look hard at Ellen.
"Oh! Then--what did dad do ?" whispered Ellen.
"He said, 'By God! half-breed or not, there's one Isbel who's a man!' An' he killed Bruce on the spot an' gave Meeker a nasty wound.